8 Month Old Sleep Schedule
By Angelica Videla — Certified Baby and Toddler Sleep Consultant, London | Supporting families across the UK, Europe, US, and Australia
Quick answer: At 8 months, most babies are on 2 naps with wake windows of 2.5–3.5 hours. Total sleep is around 13.5–14 hours. The 8–10 month regression often hits around this time, linked to crawling, pulling up, and separation anxiety.
What does an 8 month old sleep schedule look like?
At 8 months, your baby should be settled into a 2-nap routine with longer wake windows. Developmental milestones like crawling and pulling up may temporarily disrupt sleep.
Sample Schedule
The 8–10 month sleep regression
This regression is linked to major developmental milestones. Your baby may be learning to crawl, pull to stand, or cruise — and their brain is processing these new skills, even during sleep.
Separation anxiety is also often at its peak around 8–9 months. Your baby may cry more intensely when you leave the room and resist being put down.
The best approach is to stay consistent with your routines and not introduce new sleep associations (like bringing your baby into your bed) that you don't want to maintain long-term. If bedtime has become a battle, this may help: Baby Wakes When Put Down
Night sleep at 8 months
Most 8 month olds are capable of sleeping through the night with 0–1 feeds. If your baby is still waking multiple times, it is usually linked to how they fall asleep at bedtime.
Read more: Baby Waking Every Hour
Tips for 8 month sleep
- Practice physical skills (standing, sitting down) during the day so your baby is less likely to practice them in the cot.
- Stay consistent — regressions pass faster when routines remain stable.
- If sleep was already challenging before the regression, gentle sleep training can help get things back on track.
Need help navigating the regression?
If you've been dealing with this for a while, you don't have to keep guessing what to change.
I help families get through regressions with a clear, personalised plan — gently and without cry-it-out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many naps should an 8 month old take?
Most 8 month olds take 2 naps per day. Total daytime sleep is usually around 2.5 to 3 hours.
What is the 8 month sleep regression?
Around 8–10 months, many babies experience a sleep regression linked to developmental milestones like crawling, pulling up, and increased separation anxiety. Sleep may become temporarily more disrupted, even for babies who were previously sleeping well.
What are the wake windows for an 8 month old?
Wake windows at 8 months are typically 2.5 to 3.5 hours. The first window is around 2.5 to 3 hours, and the last before bedtime is around 3 to 3.5 hours.
My 8 month old keeps standing in the cot and crying. What do I do?
This is very common as babies learn to pull up. They often get "stuck" standing because they have not yet learned how to get back down. Practice sitting down from standing during playtime, and stay consistent with your settling approach at bedtime.
How much sleep does an 8 month old need?
Around 13.5 to 14 hours total in 24 hours, split between 11 to 12 hours at night and 2.5 to 3 hours of daytime naps.
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